Peninsula enterprise. [volume] (Accomac, Va.) 1881-1965, 1887-09-24

thcllOngersl live the more c0nyinc-:ss
ing proofs I see Of the truth that
God governs in the affairs of men.
And if a sparrow cannot fall to the
ground without HIS notice, is it
probable that an empire can rise.
without His aid7 We have been
assured sir, in the sacred writings
that Except the Lord build the
house, they labor in vain thai build
it, ! firmly believe this: and Ial
so believe that without His concur
ring aid We shall succeed in this
political building no better. than
the builders of Babel. We shall be
divided i'y nnr little partial, local
interests, our projects will he con
founded, and we ourselves shall b.
come u reproacll and hy-word down
10 future ages. And. what is worse.
mankind may hereafter, from this
unfortunate instance, desp ,'r ofeS-
tablishing governments by human
wisdom and leave it to chance, war
and conquest
"In the face of all discourage
mentS, the farmers Of The republic
labored on for four long, weary
months. in alternate hope ald feat,
hnt always with ragged resolve,
never faltering in a sturdy cndeav
or, sanctioned by n prophe ic sensc
of the value to postprity of their
success. and always with untinch
ing faith in the principles which
make the foundation OF govern.
ment by the people.
SAT last their task WAS done. 1t
is related that upon the back OF the
chair occupied by Washington as
president Of the convention Il sun
was painted, and that aS the dale.
gates were signing the Completed
constitution one OF them said: Il
have often and often, in the course
ofthe session, and in'tbe solitude
of my hopes and Tears as to its Is
sue, looked al that hel'ind the pres.
idrnt. without being able to tell
WHEELER it was rising orSctting;but
now, at length. know that it is Il
rising, aud not setting. SUM-
We stand today on the pot
where this rising sun emerged from
political night and darkness, and
III IFS cwn bright meridian lislltwc
mark its glorious way. Clouds
have sometimes rhScur"d its rays.
ard dreadful storms have made us
fear, but Ged has held it in its
course. and through its life saving
warmth has performed His latest
miracle in the creation of this won
,lcrous lard of peonle.
As We look down the past cen
lnry TO the origin of orr constItn-
tion, as we contemplate its trials
and it's triumphs, us we realize how
completely the principles upon
which it is based have met every
rational p.riloi everynalional need
how tl.vnrtly should we confess,
with Franklin, God governs i'll The
affairs of men, aud how solemn
should he the reflection that 10 our
hands is commi;led this ark nf the
peoples covenant. and that ours Is
the duty 10 shield it from ilnpiols
hands aS we receive it scaled with
the tests of IL century. II has hcen
found sufficient in the past; anu in
nil the future years it Will be found
sufficient, II tie Amerie al people
are true to their, acird trust.
"AEo:hcr centennial day Will come
and millions yet unborn VIII IN
qnlre concerning our stewardship
and The safety Of their constltu-
tion. God grau' that hey may
and it llnimpaired; and: rs we re
ioice in tlel atrio!ism an! devotion
of those who lived a hundred Years
ago. SO hay others who follow MS
rejoice in our fidelity, an! in orr
jealols love for constitutional lib
erty."